2011 Buick Regal 2.0 Turbo

General Motors has released an update on the 2011 Buick Regal's 2.0-liter turbocharged engine that enables it to run on any blend of gasoline or E85 Ethanol. The Detroit automaker claims the Regal's flex-fuel capability is a first for a direct-injected turbocharged production car.

There are no performance differences between the standard 2.0-liter turbo engine and its flex-fuel variant, as output remains at 220 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque.
However, engineers made some changes to allow the engine to run on E85. Given that ethanol needs a richer air-fuel mixture than gasoline to function properly, the flex-fuel engine is equipped with higher flow-rate injectors. In addition, a sensor in the fuel system measures the combination of gasoline and ethanol in the tank (a maximum of 85 percent is allowed of the latter), allowing the engine management system to automatically adjust the mixture to provide the required performance, emissions and fuel consumption.
GM's 2.0-liter Ecotec turbo engine also sports a new sand cast aluminium cylinder block, which translates into better durability, less noise and vibration than before.

Geneva 2011: Ferrari 599 GTO to 888 Ponies

Ferrari's most exclusive and powerful series production model, the 599 GTO, doesn't seem fast enough for the aftermarket specialists at Novitec Rosso. This is why the tuning house brought to Geneva Motor Show the 599 GTO Bi-Kompressor, their own version of the Prancing Horse's fastest car.
As the name suggests, Novitec Rosso engineers fitted the naturally-aspirated V12 engine with two superchargers, raising the maximum output from 670 to 888 horsepower. The impressive increase in power can only be rivaled by that of the maximum torque, which goes up from 620 Nm/6,500 rpm (457 lb-ft) to 860 Nm/6,600 (636 lb-ft).

However, the boost in performance is not mind-blowing (compared to the regular model, that is) : the 0 to 100 km/h sprint is 0.15 seconds faster at 3,2 seconds, while top speed is slightly higher at 340 km/h (211 mph). The Novitec Rosso Bi-Kompressor also sprints from 0 to 200 km/h (124 mph) in a 9.1 seconds.
Other technical changes include the fitting of sports springs (however silly that may sound on a 599 GTO) and superlight forged wheels, which are among the lightest of their kind in the world, according to Novitec. The 21-inch front wheels are 22.9 lbs each (10 kg), while each of the rear 22-inch rims weighs 30.4 lbs (13.8 kg). A useful feature devised by Novitec for buyers who like to use their GTO's around town is the front-axle lift function that raises the front of the car by 40 mm to avoid hitting speed-bumps.
As for the exterior, the car shown in Geneva wears a special silver paint with yellow cross stripe on the bonnet and white patches on the doors, as a tribute to the Ferrari 250 GTO that won the Tour de France in 1964. Other changes include yellow brake calipers and blacked out taillights, third brake light, rear fog lamp and side markers.

2011 Kia Rio Tiger Style

Kia insists on not holding back any punches with its new lineup, and its fourth-gen Rio is no different. The new Rio is lower, longer, and wider, and looks all the better for it. With the added dimensions come more passenger space, more comfort, and more storage capacity. Don't worry, as Kia will offer a variety of engines and transmissions to suit your needs. Scroll on down for the all-informative spreadsheet.

One neat optional feature is the Emergency Stop Signal, which flashes the brake lights thrice to let drivers behind the vehicle know there's sudden braking to be had ahead.
Really, this car is Kia front to back, inside and out. Featuring Kia's trademark Tiger face and a distinctly "Kia" roof line, this B-segment contender can't be confused for anything else in the parking lot. Inside, you'll find a familiar Kia Rio interior but updated to fit into the new Kia family.
Buyers can also expect to see a very modern selection of options and add-on such as iPod/USB ports, Bluetooth, heated seats, LED running lights, and automatic stop/start.
The new Rio model is longer (by 20 mm), wider (by 25 mm), and lower (by -15 mm) and features a wheelbase extended by 70 mm (to 2,570 mm), thus promising to offer improved passenger space and cargo capacity (+7% at 280 liters) over the previous model. Notably, it will also be available for the first time in both 3-door (in Europe) and 5-door body styles.
In Europe, the new Rio will offer customers a choice of three- and four-cylinder engines with outputs ranging from 70-to-109HP, a CO2 rating as low as 85 g/km, plus fuel consumption as low as 3.2 lt per 100 km (73.5 mpg US).
Diesel options include a 1.1-liter with 70HP and 162Nm, and a 1.4-liter with 90HP and 216Nm of peak torque. The gasoline lineup comprises of a 1.4-liter with 109HP and 136Nm that powers the fastest Rio from 0 to 100km/h (62mph) in 11.5" and on to a top speed of 181 km/h (112mph), and a 1.25-liter unit producing 85HP and 118Nm with a combined fuel economy of 4.8lt/100km (49mpg US).
The regular Rio models will have a CO2 rating of 94-to-124 g/km, but in Europe, these figures can be further reduced by specifying Kia’s optional fuel-stretching ISG technologies (automatic stop-start, advanced alternator control, upgraded starter motor and low-rolling resistance tires), which is available on all models. Equipped with Kia's ISG, emissions will range from 85-to-114 g/km, and fuel economy from 3.2 to 4.8 lt per 100 km.
Standard transmission for both diesels and the larger gasoline engine will be a six-speed manual gearbox, while the 1.25-litre 85HP engine has a five-speed box. A four-speed automatic gearbox will be available as an option on the 1.4-litre 109HP.